Aston Martin has a lot riding on the DBX SUV, and that might be the understatement of the year. The DBX marks the first time the British automaker is venturing into the land of SUVs. It’s no secret that, like most automakers, Aston wants to capitalize on the immensely popular crossover/SUV market that has already reeled in rivals like Lamborghini, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce. The DBX is the first salvo, and while it does look the part of a slick and sexy Aston Martin crossover, the big question is whether the DBX remains rooted in the DNA of Aston Martin. Carfection sought to answer that question, and what it discovered might surprise a lot of people.

Does the DBX look like a proper Aston Martin?

It’s always jarring to see an automaker with the pedigree of Aston Martin roll out an SUV. It’s a challenge for premium automakers like Aston Martin to build an SUV. It’s not enough that you can just build an SUV, drop a V-8 engine with oodles of power, and then call it a day. You also have to take into account what SUVs are all about in the first place. That means plenty of luggage room, spacious seats, and a design that also imbibes the aesthetic qualities of an SUV.

Fortunately, Aston Martin did well in that regard. Some people might take some time getting used to a high-riding Aston, but that should subside once they get used to its looks. Heck, a lot of people didn’t take too kindly to the Bentley Bentayga’s appearance when it first came out. But now they’re used to it. Expect the same kind of timetable for the DBX, though it's worth noting that the DBX looks more like a proper SUV than the Bentayga.

How does the DBX drive on the road?

Carfection took the lusty Aston Martin DBX out on the roads of its motherland, and a lot was gleaned from how it handled real-world asphalt. First of all, there’s no shortage of power when it comes to the SUV’s Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine. That spitfire produces 542 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, and you’ll feel all of it when you go hard on the open road. The DBX is fast and powerful — it can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 181 mph — as most Astons are and should be.



Drive it around corners and it handles remarkably well, too. The steering is quick and responsive around corners and you can enjoy all sorts of driving demeanors with all the driving modes available in the DBX. That’s a huge plus for an SUV of this caliber as owners can toggle between refined and relaxed riding in GT mode or straight-to-the-top performance in Sport Plus mode.

Is the Aston Martin DBX a true Aston Martin?

It’s as capable running roughshod over a deserted piece of road as it is navigating a bustling space like a mall car park.

Aston Martin aficionados can be stubborn, and rightfully so. The British automaker is one of the few car brands in the world that carries an identity that it can proudly call its own. That identity might be attached to James Bond or maybe it’s attached to the brand’s quintessential British DNA. Whatever it is, what’s clear is that Aston Martin can’t just roll out an SUV and expect everyone to fall head over heels for it.

The DBX will need to prove itself worthy of the badge and the segment it occupies. It’s a tough ask but that comes with certain expectations that the SUV has to meet before it’s recognized as a true Aston Martin. For now, the DBX has shown that it’s capable of carrying that mantle on its broad shoulders. Some people might be turned off by its looks, but it’s not because they hate it; it’s because they need time to get used to it.

On the performance front, the DBX handles about as well as you’d expect from Aston Martin. It’s tricked out will the technological goodies as other models in the Aston Martin lineup. That’s good. What’s better is that the DBX makes good use of all these technologies in ways that don’t feel forced or completely out of place.

The Aston Martin DBX is a true Aston Martin, folks.